Barako comes back to upset San Mig Coffee

MANILA, Philippines – The final blow wasn’t a fancy three-pointer or a basket off a brilliant play. It was two points earned from the free throw line.

Ronjay Buenafe made two calm freebies with 7.2 ticks left on the clock to shove his team ahead and ink the final tally, 92-90, as they upset the two-time champions San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday, March 25 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I know it’s an upset,” said head coach Bong Ramos.”Tsamba lang (We just got lucky). As I said we will try to stay close every game and try to upset a team.”

It was a come from behind victory for the now 2-4 Energy as they escaped San Mig Coffee and tarnished their previously unbeaten slate, making it 3-1, by outscoring them in the fourth, 30-12.

Barako Bull, who was down by 16, 78-62, coming into the final frame, showed resiliency against San Mig Coffee who seemed to have relaxed in the fourth period.

The Mixers’ defenses loosened up, allowing Barako a 16-0 run for the first 6 minutes of the payoff period, with 8 points coming from Willie Miller. It was only when import Josh Dollard hit a baseline jumper to cap off the sterling run and knot things up at 78 did the Mixers tense up once again.

PJ Simon and James Yap broke San Mig’s silence with 6:10 remaining and countered with quick 4 points off a timeout to create some cushion, 84-80.

Despite the Mixers finally waking up late in the fourth, Barako’s confidence was already off the charts. They didn’t back down from the challenge and kept within striking distance of San Mig before delivering the finishing kick.

Dollard, who has plainly been a beast for the Energy throughout the conference, put his team on top, 90-88, with a three-pointer with 1:28 left to play. Simon then tied it once again with basket with over a minute remaining.

Breaks of the game went Barako’s way down the stretch, especially following Buenafe’s game-winning free throws when Mark Barroca escaped the defense of Mick Pennisi during the final possession and let go of a one-hander that could’ve sent the game to overtime. But fate smiled down on the Energy as Barroca’s attempt went in and out.

“We prepared lots of game plans for this team because they’re very fluid in the triangle offense and their interior offense,” Ramos explained.

“We cannot match them man-to-man that’s why we tried to make some adjustments by putting them away from their comfort zone.”

It was already shaping up to be a good night for Barako, whose energy was just palpable from every member of the team. They smelled blood when they led at the break, 49-47, and was practically willing their team to victory with every player on the Barako bench locking arms during the fourth as if it were a championship game.

Miller and Dollard were the heroes for the Energy, conspiring for 26 points in the final period.

Dollard went across the stat sheet with 32 points, 17 rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block. While Miller had 19 points and 10 assists. JC Intal also added 10 points for Barako, who cashed in on the Mixers’ 16 turnovers with 25 points.

Meanwhile, Mays had 20 points and 21 rebounds for his team as Joe Devance and Simon added 17 and 16, respectively. James Yap scored on crucial baskets as well in the third for his 12 points.

Scores:

Barako Bull (92): Dollard 32, Miller 19, Intal 10, Marcelo 7, Deutchman 6, Pennisi 6, Fortuna 5, Buenafe 5, Wilson 2, Lastimosa 0, Pena 0, Miranda 0.

San Mig Coffee (90): Mays 20, Devance 17, Simon 16, Yap 12, Barroca 10, Pingris 8, Melton 3, Sangalang 2, Reavis 2, Mallari 0.

Quarterscores: 18-26, 49-47, 62-78, 92-90.

– Rappler.com